company

companycom‧pa‧ny /ˈkʌmpəni/ ●●●S1W1 noun (plural companies)1BUSINESSbusiness [countable]COMPANY a business organization that makes or sells goods or services syn business, firmWhich company do you work for?I called the phone company about the bill.The company was set up just after the war.The company directors have awarded themselves a massive pay increase.GRAMMAR: Singular or plural verb?• In this meaning, company is usually followed by a singular verb: The company makes machine parts.• In British English, you can also use a plural verb: The company make machine parts.2WITHOTHER PEOPLEother people [uncountable] when you are with other people and not aloneThe two men enjoy each other’s company.Rita’s husband is away for the week, so I thought I’d go over and keep her company (=be with her so that she doesn’t feel lonely).Come over for dinner – I could use the company (=would like to be with other people).James is good company (=is a cheerful person who is enjoyable to be with).as companyBessie was glad to have the dog as company.in somebody’s company (=with someone)I felt nervous in the company of such an important man.in company with somebody (=together with another person or group)He’s performing in company with saxophonist Ernie Watts.3GUESTSguests [uncountable]VISIT people who are visiting you in your homeIt looks like the Hammills have company.We’re expecting company this evening.4FRIENDSfriends [uncountable]FRIEND your friends or the group of people you spend time withPeople judge you by the company you keep (=the people you spend time with).Things began to go wrong when he got into bad company.5PERFORMERSperformers [countable]AP a group of actors, dancers, or singers who work togethera theatre companya touring companythe Kirov Ballet Company► see thesaurus at actor6 →be in good company7GROUPGROUP [uncountable] formalWITH a group of people who are together in the same place, often for a particular purpose or for socialreasonsHe glanced around at the assembled company.Some jokes are just not appropriate to tell in mixed company (=in a group of both men and women).in company (=when surrounded by other people, especially at a social occasion)Parents should teach their children how to behave in company.8 →somebody and company9armyARMY [countable]PMA a group of about 120 soldiers who are usually part of a larger group10 →two’s company, three’s a crowdCOLLOCATIONS – Meaning 1: a business organization that makes or sells goods or servicesADJECTIVES/NOUN + company a computer/phone/oil etc companyan international oil companya manufacturing/shipping/publishing etc companyI’m working for a printing company at the moment.a large/big companyShe has a senior position in a large manufacturing company.a small companyHis father is the director of a small company.an international company (=with offices in different countries)She works for a major international company.a multinational company (=with offices in many countries)Within ten years the business grew into a huge multinational company.a private company (=not owned by the government)There are many tiny private companies.a state-owned company (=owned by the government)a public/listed company (=offering its shares for sale on the stock exchange)a limited company (=one whose owners only have to pay a limited amount if it gets into debt)a subsidiary company (=owned or controlled by a larger company)the parent company (=the one that owns or controls a smaller one)a local companyThe new development will bring more business to local companies.a reputable company (=with a good reputation)Choose a reputable building company to do the work.verbswork for a companyHow long have you been working for your present company?join a company (=become an employee)I joined the company ten years ago.run/manage a companyNick runs a property company.set up/start/form a companyTwo years later he started his own software company.found/establish a companyThe company was founded in 1993 by William J. Nutt.take over a company (=buy it and run it)The company was taken over by the management in a £32.5 million deal.a company grows/expandsThe company has expanded year on year.a company goes bankrupt/goes out of business (=stops doing business after losing too much money)a company fails (=goes bankrupt)His audio equipment company failed in the mid 1980s.a company goes bust informal (=goes bankrupt)a company goes to the wall informal (=goes bankrupt)a company goes into liquidation (=is closed and sold in order to pay its debts)company + NOUNcompany policyIt is not company policy to give that information.a company director/executiveHe earns a huge amount of money as a senior company executive.a company car (=that your company gives you to use)COLLOCATIONS – Meaning 2: when you are with other people and not aloneverbsenjoy somebody’s companySteve was fun and she clearly enjoyed his company.keep somebody company (=be with someone so that they do not feel lonely)Mum was out so I stayed at home to keep my younger sister company.have some company (=not be alone)‘Come in, ’ she said, pleased to have some company.need/want companyChildren need the company of other kids their age.be good/pleasant company (=be a cheerful person who is enjoyable to be with)I always liked seeing Rob – he was such good company.THESAURUScompany an organization that makes or sells something, or provides a servicebig oil companiestelephone companiesHe runs a software company.firm a company, especially one that provides a service rather than producing goodsa law firma firm of accountantsa security firmbusiness a company – often used when talking about a company that employs only a small number of peopleShe set up her own catering business.small businessesa family businesscorporation a large company that often includesseveral smaller companiesIBM is one of the biggest corporations in the world.multinational a very large company with offices in many different countriesAmerican multinationals are establishing research and development facilities across the developing world.conglomerate /kənˈɡlɒmərət $ -ˈɡlɑː-/ a very large company that consists of several different companies which have joined togetherThe company was taken over by a German media conglomerate.giant a word used mainly by newspapers for a very large companyTheir clients include the retail giant, Wal-Mart.subsidiary a company that is owned by a larger companyThe company runs its New York operations through a US subsidiary.